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DUBAI: Coach Mike Hesson has told his Pakistan team to “focus on the job” in Sunday's highly charged Asia Cup clash with arch-rivals India.

The match in Dubai is the first time that the neighbours will have met in cricket since a brief but deadly border conflict in May and emotions will be running high.

The New Zealander Hesson said Thursday: “I guess, from my perspective, just like any time you enter a match, whether it be a final of a world event or whatever, it’s about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand and that'll be no different on the weekend.”

The eight-nation Twenty20 tournament began on Tuesday with Afghanistan beating Hong Kong by 94 runs. India crushed hosts the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets on Wednesday.

Pakistan begin their campaign against Oman on Friday, but all the talk is already of world champions India two days later.

“We know that India are obviously hugely confident and rightfully so in terms of how well they've played,” Hesson said of the Asia Cup holders, who skittled UAE for just 57 in 13.1 overs.

India cruised to victory in just 4.3 overs.

Since winning the World Cup last year they have won 18 of their 21 T20Is.

Hesson is excited to be part of a blockbuster, which will be watched by a packed stadium in Dubai and hundreds of millions of television viewers.

“Look, I’ve certainly watched many games from afar, so certainly being on the other side of the fence, I guess, being right and amongst such a highly charged event is going to be exciting,” he added.

Pakistan enter the Asia Cup with a tri-series win in the UAE also involving Afghanistan and UAE, and confidence is growing.

“We're very much focused on improving as a team, sort of day by day, and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” said Hesson.

India, Pakistan, Oman and UAE are in Group A while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Bangladesh form Group B.

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the Super Four stage. The top two teams will then play the September 28 final in Dubai.

MUNICH: Once a Bundesliga highlight, Bayern Munich’s first home game against promoted Hamburg SV in seven years lacks the top billing of the past but still holds promise for lots of goals — at least for the home side.
Long before the six-time German champions were relegated to the second division for the first time in their history in 2018, Hamburg had become Bayern’s punching bag in Munich, conceding a total of 50 goals in their last eight trips to Allianz Arena.
The wave of exhilaration that accompanied Hamburg’s return to the top division has subsided after two Bundesliga games, with the former European champions drawing one and losing the other.
They have yet to score or create a single scoring chance in either of the two matches so far, according to Bundesliga statistics.
Losing the Hamburg derby to visitors St. Pauli just before the international break dampened spirits further but despite their rough return to the Bundesliga, coach Merlin Polzin said his team were looking forward to Saturday.
“We’re incredibly excited about this match,” he added. “It’s something very special. We are playing against one of the strongest teams in Europe. We have worked very hard to earn the chance to face Bayern in a competitive match.
“We’ll prepare well and head there with a clear idea of how we want to present ourselves.”
It is a totally different story for the champions.
Bayern equalled their club record with nine goals from their first two league games — both wins — with France international Michael Olize on a scoring run that now stretches to six consecutive league matches.
He has scored three goals already this season, as many as teammate Harry Kane, with the Bavarians sitting top of the table on goal difference ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt and Cologne.
The match is also special for Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, with the former defender having played for Hamburg between 2006-2008 prior to his hugely successful move to Manchester City.
Bayer Leverkusen will have new coach Kasper Hjulmand on the bench in Friday’s home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Last season’s runners-up hope the Dane has what it takes to turn things around following a rocky start and the dismissal of predecessor Erik ten Hag last week.
Eintracht are on six points while Leverkusen have just one point so far.
Borussia Dortmund, on four points, travel to Heidenheim on Saturday.